Sean Jones Drops New Single “IF IT ISN’T LUV” Featuring John Orpheus Inspired By 90s R&B
“I can’t live with or without you”—a sentiment as complex as it is relatable. Canadian singer and composer Sean Jones delves into that emotional tornado with his latest single, called “IF IT ISN’T LUV” featuring John Orpheus, out now.
Throughout the song, the artist navigates the push and pull of love, all set to a beat dominated by the smooth grooves of 90’s R&B. Sean adds: “‘If It Isn’t Luv’ is more than just a track; it’s a heartfelt nod to New Edition’s iconic hit “If It Isn’t Love,” a song that defined a generation.” Certainly, the Jackson-5-inspired band was at the forefront of 80’s and 90’s teen pop across North America.
The track evokes the soulful vibes of an incredible musical era, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and timeless. It explores the challenges of romantic relationships, reflecting the doubts that question the stability of a bond:
“Are we really in love?
Or just stuck in a maze.
I guess some lessons are blessing,
And some lessons keep us stressing,
Maybe this thing is a blessing,
Or will it break our hearts”
Sean Jones may be a rising solo artist, but his experience in the scene extends far longer than one might expect. He shares: “I first made waves in the music industry as a member of “In Essence”. With hits like “Friend Of Mine,” “IE IE,” and “You Will Never Find,” the group captured the hearts of R&B fans across the globe, earning a Juno Award in 2004.”
He also gives a glimpse into his experience from performing in a band to stepping into the spotlight as a solo act: “My journey from boy band sensation to a solo artist has been nothing short of extraordinary.” Indeed, Sean has released two albums since he decided to go by himself: “The Boarding Sessions” in 2019 and “Weekend Lover” in 2021.
The artist continues to evolve as time passes by, bringing his love for classic soul and R&B to new heights. Some of his top milestones include his summer residency called “Soul In The City” at Toronto’s historic “Casa Loma” from 2015 to 2023, which became an unmissable experience, drawing over 1,000 fans every Monday night.
Furthermore, his impactful partnership with WestJet on The WestJet Boarding Sessions solidified his reputation as a dynamic and innovative artist. Sean also shares: “Reimagining Canadian classics and interviewing music legends like Burton Cummings and Sarah McLachlan, I brought a unique musical experience to passengers at 40,000 feet.”
More driven than ever and with a future brimming with promise, he is set to continue releasing new music. On September 12th, he will take the stage at the El Mocambo in Toronto for “Sean Jones’ Soul Euphoria”, an unforgettable evening of soul, R&B, and old-school hits. Joined by special guests, and in support of youth charity TRUST 15, this performance promises to be a night to remember—Tickets are available now.
Guided by the inspiring energy of music and creativity, Sean reflects: “I’ve always felt that my gift was given to me to shine a bright light. I’m going to continue to do just that the best way I know how.”
Hi, Sean! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers?
Hi there! My name is Sean Jones, and I am a Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter currently residing in Hamilton. Years ago, I was part of a boy band called In Essence. We had radio hits like “You Will Never Find,” “I.E. i.E.,” and “Friend of Mine.” Since leaving the group in 2006, I’ve released four albums, one of which was a record for WestJet entitled The WestJet Boarding Sessions. I also had a residency at Casa Loma called Soul in the City, which ran for eight years starting in 2015. Currently, you can find me performing at the legendary El Mocambo and Harbourfront Centre, as well as producing a Christmas show entitled Holiday Soul.
“If It Isn’t Luv” features smooth 90’s R&B grooves and pays homage to New Edition’s iconic hit. What inspired you to create a song that nods to this era of music?
I just LOVE that time in music—partially because those were the formative years of my life, and I associate many different and impactful life experiences with the music that was being released. But the music itself was on another level compared to what we hear today. The time and effort put into writing, producing, recording, and performing songs was just incredible. In a small way, I hoped to recapture some of that old magic and make it feel fresh again. I don’t know if I accomplished that, but it sure felt good creating this song.
The lyrics of “If It Isn’t Luv” explore the complexities of relationships. How did your own experiences shape the themes of the song?
Oh, you’re trying to get me in trouble! Let’s just say I continue to be fascinated by how emotionally complex relationships become after the ‘honeymoon’ phase ends. The issues—and there are ALWAYS issues—are never just black and white. It’s those complexities that cause all the confusion. One minute you love them, and the next you can’t stand to be around them. You want to spend your life with them, but you’re afraid to open up for fear of being hurt. Then they sense your apprehension and begin to question the relationship, and around and around it goes. Ultimately, it’s usually two people who just want to be loved, but at the end of the day, we are human beings with multiple layers to peel back. The question is: do you have the patience to stick around and see what’s underneath those layers? Maybe you have something that could bloom into a beautiful flower—or maybe it’s just another weed in the garden. Only time will tell, and that’s what this song is all about!
You collaborated with John Orpheus on this single. What was the creative process like working together, and how did his influence shape the final track?
Joel Joseph, who produced the song, introduced me to John after the lyrics had been written. We set up a studio session to record the vocals at Phase One, and that’s where I met John for the first time. I loved his vibe from the moment we met. He’s down to earth, humble, charismatic, and, as I soon found out, extremely talented. I hadn’t heard his idea, but we decided to let him lay his part down first, and it was a perfect fit. His melodic flow complemented my vocals perfectly, and the story he told highlighted the message of the song to a tee. His part was done in about 30 minutes. When something comes together that well, and so effortlessly, you know it has to be special. I look forward to more collaborations with John in the near future.
Your summer residency, “Soul In The City,” at Casa Loma became an iconic part of Toronto’s music scene. How did that experience shape your connection to live performance?
I’ve always enjoyed performing for an audience, but those summer nights at Casa Loma showed me just how POWERFUL live music can be. Every night, we took the audience on a journey that made them smile, laugh, dance, and sometimes even cry tears of joy. I can’t tell you how many people approached me after a show to share their recent struggles, then thanked me with tears in their eyes for giving them the best night they’d had in years. For those couple of hours we spent together, I made their troubles disappear. The music industry is a mess right now, and I have no idea what the future holds for me where music is concerned. But regardless of what comes next, I know I’ve touched a lot of people’s lives in a positive way, and I’m super proud of that.